Filling apparatus with splash minimizing, liquid transfer funnels



Oct. 22, 1963 T. J. SMITH v FILLING APPARATUS WITH SPLASH MINIMIZING, LIQUID TRANSFER FUNNELS Filed March 7, 1960 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Will "llllh JNVENTOR. TRAVER J SM/TH WWI 47 A T TORNEVS 3,107,703 G, LIQUID Oct. 22, 1963 T. J. SMITH FILLING APPARATUS WITH SPLASH MINIMIZIN TRANSFER FUNNELS Filed March 7, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. TRAVER J SM/TH wai -J ATTORNEYS T. S FILLING APPARATUS WITH SPLASH MINIMIZING, LIQUID TRANSFER FUNNELS Filed March 7, 1960 a sheets-sheet :5

INVEA'I/TOR.

TRAVER J. SMITH ATTORNE VS United States Patent Filed Mar. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 13,266 3 Claims. (Cl. 141-36) The present invention relates to liquid filling apparatus, and is concerned more particularly with an apparatus providing for rapid dispensing of a desired amount of liquid into an intermediate receptacle, and for a subsequent slow transfer ofthis liquid from the receptacle to a container.

It is the general object of the invention to provide an improved liquid filling apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid filling apparatus where a rapid filling of the desired quantity of liquid is made into an auxiliary transfer receptacle, which is aligned with and traveling above the container to be filled, and wherein the flow of liquid from this transfer container is made gradually to the container over a period "of time so that splashing and the like is avoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle constructed to receive a rapid liquid fill of a stream and to prevent splashing during the fill.

The above and other objects of the invention are ob rtained as described in the accompanying specification, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the filling apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic detail view taken as indcated by the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus with certain parts broken away for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional View of the filling funnels, the plane of the view indicated by the line 44 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view taken as indicated by the line 7 7 in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the machine includes a fabricated frame 10 on which an endless series of funnels or transfer receptacles 11 are mounted for movement along an elongated endless path which in part coincides with the path of container travel provided by a suitable conveyor belt 12 and a timing worm 13, described later. Underlying the portion of the path of the transfer receptacles 11 which is not coincident with the containers 37 is a drip trough 48 having an outlet conduit 49 leading to the reservoir. .At one portion along the travel the transfer containers 11 pass by a dispensing nozzle 16 forming part of a dispensing head 17 which is of the general type disclosed in the applications of Roy M. Magnuson, Serial No. 710,083, filed Jan. 20, 1958, for Apparatus for Spraying and/or Dispensing Liquid, now Patent 2,982,319, "dated May 2, 1961 and Julio B. Aldecoa, Serial No. 617,194, filed Oct. 19, 1956, for Filling Apparatus and Method, now Patent 2,951,618, dated Sept. 6, 1960.

The liquid to be filled is fed to the nozzle 16 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) from a gravity tank 18 adjustably carried by a post 19 suitably mounted on the frame. Liquid is supplied to the tank 18 through a fiexible conduit 20 and piping 21 including a valve 21a from a pump 22 carried by the frame and operated by a motor 23. The pump 22 draws this liquid from a supply reservoir 24, to which a bypass piping 26 including a valve 26a, leads from the feed piping or line 21 of the gravity tank 18.

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The gravity tank18 has an overflow pipe 27 connected by a conduit 28 to the supply reservoir. Liquid is furnished to the reservoir 24 by piping 30 including a floatcontrolled valve 30a.

The dispensinghead 17 is adjustably mounted on the post 19, and includes a pivoted interceptor gate 31 (FIGS. 1 and 2) by means of which liquid from the nozzle 16 is directed to a return conduit 32 leading to the reservoir 24 or is allowed by the gate 31 to escape directly into a transfer container 11. The interceptor gate 31 (FIG. 2) is pivotally mounted as described above and its mounting shaft 31a is connected to a rotary solenoid 31b which is adapted to be operated as described hereinafter. The operation of the dispensing head 17, gravity tank 18, with the reservoir 24- and its pump 22 are fully disclosed in the above identified applications. The time of dispensing of the liquid is controlled by a suitable electrical timing mechanism 36 and triggered by a mechanical electrical switch 38 (FIG. 5), the switch 38 having an arm 39 lying in the path of the containers 37. The switch 38 is also connected to energize the solenoid 31b at the same time that it triggers the timing mechanism 36.

Each of the series of transfer receptacles 11 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is carried by an arm 40 having a support ring 42 thereon embracing the associated transfer receptacle.

'Each arm 40 (FIG. 4) is connected to each of two super-' posed chains 42 and 43, which are trained about respective sets of drive sprockets 44 and driven sprockets 45. The sprockets 44 are carried and driven by an upright shaft 51 (FIGS. 1 and 3) which at its lower end has a chain and sprocket drive 52 leading from a gear reducer 53, which is driven through a chain and sprocket drive 54 from the support shaft 56 of the timing worm 13. The worm 13 (FIG. 1) is journalled by bearings 57 on the frame 10 and is driven by a chain and sprocket drive 58 from a variable speed motor 59. I

Means is provided for minimizing splash in the transfer receptacles and for this purpose, in each transfer receptacle or funnel 11 (FIG. 4) there is provided a foraminous member such as a freely inserted cone shaped screen 61 which serves to prevent or minimize splash of the discharge from the dispensing head 17. The periphery of the screen '61 is supported freely at the top of the conical bottom 11a of the receptacle 11, which bottom 11a has a steeper slope'than the screen 61 to provide space therebetween. The apex of the screen 61 is spaced above the opening in the outlet fitting 62 of the receptacle 11.

In operation, as each can 37 enters the machine, it is engaged with the timing worm 13 and is positioned under a transfer receptacle 11. Each can is carried past the switch 38 (FIG. 5) and operates the switch arm 39 so that the dispensing head 17 (FIG. 1) and the timing mechanism 36 are placed'in operation, and the interceptor gate 31 is moved so as to release theliquid stream from the nozzle 16 into'the aligned receptacle 11. The screen 61 intercepts the stream of liquid and minimizes splashing. It should be noted that at the time the rapid'liquid discharge is initiated from the stationary dispensing head 17 the transfer receptacle 11 is above a cam 37 and, because the receptacle is also always open-at the bottom, filling of the liquid from the receptacle to the can begins immediately and full advantage can be taken of the entire travel of the can through the filling zone. A measured amount of liquid is discharged from the nozzle 16 into the receptacle 11 aligned therewith as controlled by the timer 36 which determines the point of shut-off by the gate 31. This operation is repeated successively for each receptacle 11 which has a can 37 aligned therewith. After each discharge of liquid from the nozzle 16, the receptacle 11 contains a measured amount of liquid, and the liquid drains from the transfer receptacle 11 into the aligned can 37 during the remainder of the travel of the can along the timing worm 13. After a transfer receptacle 11 passes from above a can 37 it moves over the drip trough 4S and any residual liquid dripping therefrom is returned to the reservoir 24 to again form a part of the supply of liquid therein.

This operation enables filling of a desired quantity of liquid in the containers 37 over a longer period of time than the time of operation of the dispensing head 17 and without excessive splash or spilling of liquid.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated an adaptation of the apparatus for the filling of cartons such as rectangular cardboard cartons 66, these cartons being conveyed on a conveyor 12a in synchronisrn with the transfer receptacles 11 by means of lugs 67 on the conveyor chain 68. The chain 68 is suitably supported and driven in synchronism with the receptacles 11. The operation of the apparatus as modified in FIGS. 6 and 7 is identical with that described in connection with the modification of FIGS. 1 through 5.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of the invention, it will be obvious that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the form shown, so that its scope should be limited only by the proper scope and interpretation of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a liquid filling apparatus, a frame structure, can veying means providing a path of travel for containers to be filled in spaced relation with respect to each other, means comprising an endless series of transfer receptacles having open ends at the top and bottom thereof and mounted for movement along a path including a portion coinciding with the path of travel of said containers, each receptacle comprising a substantially cylindrical center body portion, an upper body portion diverging upwardly and outwardly to said open top, a lower body portion converging downwardly and inwardly from said center body portion to said restricted open bot-tom end, and stationary means on said frame structure and spaced above said transfer receptacle and-adapted to register successively with said receptacles for dispensing a measured amount of liquid into each of said receptacles aft-er registry thereof with said containers, each of said receptacles being provided with a foraminous conical member with the apex of the conical member in downwardly disposed position and spaced from the lower end thereof to minimize splash upon filling of liquid into the receptacle.

2. In a liquid filling apparatus, a frame structure, conveying means for providing a path of travel for containers to be filled in spaced relation with respect to each other, means comprising an endless series of transfer receptacles mounted for movement along a path including a path portion coinciding with the path of travel of said containers, each of said transfer receptacles having a conically shaped bottom provided with an outlet fitting at its apex and having a restricted opening compared with the top of the receptacle, and stationary means on said frame structure and spaced above said transfer receptacle and adapted to register successively with said receptacles for rapidly dispensing a measured amount of liquid into each of said receptacles after registry with said containers, each of said receptacles including generally conically shaped splash minimizing structure with the small end of the cone shape disposed downwardly.

3. In a liquid filling apparatus, a frame structure, a pair of sprockets mounted for rotation on said frame structure about vertical axes, a chain engaged with said sprockets, a series of transfer receptacles carried by said chain as an endless series and being'disposed in substantially abutting relation along one portion of the path of said chain including a straight stretch thereof, a

container conveyor extending underneath said straightstretch for carrying containers therealong, a drainage trough on said frame structure disposed underneath said receptacles beginning at one end of said straight stretch and extending to the other end thereof so as to lie under said receptacles except when they are registered with the containers along said straight stretch, a timing worm disposed along said conveyor for engaging containers and carrying them in spaced timed relation in registry with said transfer receptacles while traveling along said straight stretch, said receptacles being open top and bottom and being unobstructed at the top and bottom during their travel, each of said transfer receptacles having a comically shaped bottom provided with a restricted opening as compared with the top of the receptacle, liquid dispensing means mounted on said frame in fixed position relative to the movement of said transfer receptacles and spaced thereabove so asto be in registry successively with said receptacles as they move therepast, and means for operating said dispensing means to place a measured tainer and for transfer subsequently of any portion of t the liquid remaining in the transfer receptacle.

References Cited in-the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 601,735 Saw Apr. 5, 1898; 643,102. Bates Feb. 13, 1900 797,144 Nickerson Aug. 15, 1905 1,512,764 Holrnquist Oct. 21, 1924 1,528,978 McClennan Mar. 10, 1925 1,683,120 Ayars Sept. 4, 1928 2,387,585 Howard Oct. 23, 1945 2,467,684 Meyer et al Apr. 19, 1949 2,700,498 Lince Jan. 25, 1955 2,815,046 McBean et al t Dec. 3, 1957 7 2,832,643 Bletoher et al Apr. 29, 1958 2,868,246 Nelson Jan. 13,1959

- FOREIGN PATENTS 727,721 Germany Nov. 10, 1942 815,486 Great Britain June 24, 1959 862,034 2 France Nov. 22, 1940 

3. IN A LIQUID APPARATUS, A FRAME STRUCTURE, A PAIR OF SPROCKETS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE ABOUT VERTICAL AXES, A CHAIN ENGAGED WITH SAID SPROCKETS, A SERIES OF TRANSFER RECEPTACLES CARRIED BY SAID CHAIN AS AN ENDLESS SERIES AND BEING DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY ABUTTING RELATION ALONG ONE PORTION OF THE PATH OF SAID CHAIN INCLUDING A STRAIGHT STRETCH THEREOF, A CONTAINER CONVEYOR EXTENDING UNDERNEATH SAID STRAIGHT STRETCH FOR CARRYING CONTAINERS THEREALONG, A DRAINAGE TROUGH ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE DISPOSED UNDERNEATH SAID RECEPTACLES BEGINNING AT ONE END OF SAID STRAIGHT STRETCH AND EXTENDING TO THE OTHER END THEREOF SO AS TO LIE UNDER SAID RECEPTACLES EXCEPT WHEN THEY ARE REGISTERED WITH THE CONTAINERS ALONG SAID STRAIGHT STRETCH, A TIMING WORM DISPOSED ALONG SAID CONVEYOR FOR ENGAGING CONTAINERS AND CARRYING THEM IN SPACED TIMED RELATION IN REGISTRY WITH SAID TRANSFER RECEPTACLES WHILE TRAVELING ALONG SAID STRAIGHT STRETCH, SAID RECEPTACLES BEING OPEN TOP AND BOTTOM AND BEING UNOBSTRUCTED AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM DURING THEIR TRAVEL, EACH OF SAID TRANSFER RECEPTACLES HAVING A CONICALLY SHAPED BOTTOM PROVIDED WITH A RESTRICTED OPENING AS COMPARED WITH THE TOP OF THE RECEPTACLE, LIQUID DISPENSING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME IN FIXED POSITION RELATIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID TRANSFER RECEPTACLES AND SPACED THEREABOVE SO AS TO BE IN REGISTRY SUCCESSIVELY WITH SAID RECEPTACLES AS THEY MOVE THEREPAST, AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID DISPENSING MEANS TO PLACE A MEASURED AMOUNT OF LIQUID INTO EACH OF SAID RECEPTACLES AS THEY MOVE THEREPAST FOR TRANSFER SIMULTANEOUSLY TO THE CONTAINER AND FOR TRANSFER SUBSEQUENTLY OF ANY PORTION OF THE LIQUID REMAINING IN THE TRANSFER RECEPTACLE. 